The Uganda Law Society, the Uganda National Civil Society Coalition (UNCC) that comprises of Center for Food and Adequate Living Rights (CEFROHT), FIAN Uganda, Global Consumer Centre (CONSENT), and the Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information and Negotiation Institute (SEATINI) officially handed over a petition on the Nutrient Profiling Model to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Norbert Mao.
The Minister not only accepted the petition but also pledged to collaborate with his Ministry and to engage other relevant ministries in advancing this initiative. The shared goal is to establish robust laws and regulations that will protect all Ugandans—especially children—from harmful food environments that jeopardize their health and well-being.
Uganda currently lacks comprehensive consumer protection and food and nutrition laws. There are no regulations requiring front-of-pack warning labels or restricting the marketing of unhealthy foods to children. This legal vacuum enables the food industry to advertise, promote, and even give gifts to children, fostering unhealthy habits and addiction to foods that contribute to long-term health risks.
“Uganda urgently needs a legal framework. The Ministry of Health has been slow to provide a Nutrient Profiling Model, and there are still no regulations on warning labels or marketing to children. This has left the door open for industries to aggressively promote unhealthy food, putting children’s health in danger,” said Dr. Kabanda David, CEO of CEFROHT.
In his remarks, Hon. Norbert Mao expressed full support for the petition:
“I have received a petition from lawyers who are campaigning for better food quality for our citizens—especially advocating for natural foods. Their petition highlights the danger of unregulated processed foods, which are flooding our markets, restaurants, and homes. Without proper regulation, Ugandans are increasingly vulnerable to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and various forms of cancer.”
The petition calls on the government to hold food manufacturers accountable by ensuring transparency in food content and nutritional value. The legal team noted that, unlike neighboring countries, Uganda lacks strict consumer protection laws.
In response, the Minister made several pledges:
• The Ministry will appoint a focal point person to collaborate with petitioners.
• He will brief the Cabinet Standing Committee on Human Rights, which includes relevant ministers, about the petition.
• A formal brief will be submitted to the President, who has consistently advocated for healthy eating, discouraged harmful foods such as moldy groundnuts, and promoted natural foods like cassava.
• The Ministry will organize a stakeholder consultative meeting together with the lawyers and concerned partners to advance the campaign.
• This initiative, supported by a growing number of citizen signatures across the country, will be treated as a national priority.
“I commend the lawyers for this noble effort. While much of our work focuses on legal reform and governance, this initiative shows how the legal profession can also champion public health and well-being. I fully support it,” Hon. Mao concluded.
